Mazda5
I recently purchased a used 2009 Mazda5 Sport, with manual transmission. I was curious about the (to me) high RPMs I was experiencing driving it home from the dealer, when I ran across this on edmunds forums:
The gearing is somewhat high, although it feels smooth to me (sometimes I forget to shift up to 5th) on the highway and then notice it when I look at the RPMs). I only saw your question now, so I can give an inexact answer. When I drive around 65, the RPMs are in the low 3000’s (3100 – 3200). Doing the math would get you a bit under 3000 for 60 MPH and a bit under 3500 for 70 MPH. I sure wish it had a 6-speed manual so highway driving could be down around 2500 RPM. My 2000 MPV automatic did around 2700-2800 at 65 MPH and my 2005 MPV with the 3.0 engine was around 2200-2300 at the same speed. Did C4C with the 2000 MPV to get the M5 Sport Manual.
Other things to watch out for:
- Premature tire wear
- Rear strut wear
- Rear sway bar wear
- Road noise due to flattened tires (after being stationary for a long time)
- Replacing OEM tires with more durable quieter tires